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Show THEM ARGUS. which non-Mormons view the outlook, may be formed from the following fermal statement issued in December last, and signed by leading ministers of the different denominations: “It is cause for rejoicing on the part of all patriotic and Christian Americans that a new Utah is fast superseding the old Utah. “This new Utah becomes an established fact by the Territorial election on November 5, 1895, by which the people adopted a worthy State Constitution, that accords with the Enabling Act of Congress, which forever prohibits polygamy in Utah, and with the United States Constitution, and secured a worthy group of officers for the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial departments of the new State; which will add one more to the number of States in the Union, when the President shall issue his proclamation announcing that Utah has complicd with all the legal requirements of Congress. “This election shows that there was no good ground for the charge that the Mormon church would use its influence in behalf of one of the great National parties rather than the other; and the small majority of the triumphant party as well as the differing majorities for the different candidates, shows that the Mormon people are honest in their division on National party lines. . “Up to date all the indications are that Statehood is going to he a source of great benefit and prosperity to Utah. Already men of capital ard enterprise have come from the East to make their homes in the new State. And if the new State administration shall be so lacking in wisdom and patriotism as to undertake to. run the new commonwealth in the interest of any special class, it will then be time to oppose such an unjust thing by indignant voice 1ni vigorous action.” been and are still necessary, and while the Board of Education has constantly had the power to submit to the people, in a manner provided by law, the matter of raising revenue independent of the regular bond issues and taxes, for the building and furnishing of more school houses, yet it has never deemed it expedient to do so, preferring always, for reasons of public policy, to shape its estimates and expenditures so they might not become burdensome. But the rapid increase of school population, the urgent demands for more buildings and the necessity of employing additional teachers has required the most careful financiering to avoid a balance on the wrong side of the ledger. In the minds of some the expenditures have been considered large—in fact they have been such—yet it is worthy of note, of congratulation and satisfaction that they have ever been largely within the legal limit and immeasurably less than the benefits bestowed. It is an achievement that has been difficult of accomplishment and one that is the result of a careful, progressive policy. 3 % I have schools of been Salt requested Lake by City the the of Salt Lake"City. editor of subject of the an Argus article for make the the big illustrated Midsummer Carnival edition of his paper. The theme is an inspiring one and I readily respond. A city’s school system is the metewand of the intelligence and patriotism of its people. 2 low and disappoirting showing to be sure, but nevertheless one that must be children accepted until between the another years is of six taken. and The eighteen number reached of the ing figure of 12,540, which is more than one-fourth of the in school astonish- the municipality. This year the number is sure to exceed 13, 000. Wow this showing it will be readily seen that there is something more than tradition which to a Population considered, Salt Lake City can probably ecli in the Union for the number of its eitiaven, - Last Vateisontinn the Territorial census, the city’s total population was 48,076, a rather “Utah’s Public Schools 33 in the belief best crop.” seems to the of an absolute certaint y of a non-failure of In fact it presents a problem, the only solution of conversion of boards of education into architects and builders with an ever-increasing fund at their . The constant accession of these bright-eyed cherubs to the command school-going ranks and to the city’s population is signific ant of our growth. Some d they will be useful members of society—leaders of men and mene | it is only right that they should be given the advantage of every opportunity that the times es Soe and our excellent educa- themselves, and PUBLIO SCHOOLS OF "SALT LAKE'CITY. the evening of the Nineteenth century civilization it is the chiefest of all attractions—the most satisfactory of all municipally created inducements that can be offered to the home-seeking business man who has a family to raise, educate and equip for life’s duties, but who has grown dissatisfied with the facilities afforded in the community of which he chances to be a resident. The city with its only slightly improved three r’s system—where readin’, ritin’ and ’rithmetic are taught practically as they were in the olden time wher Schoolmaster Smith “boarded round” and walloped Jack and Tom with his hickory rule, is not one that will augment its population by the most desirable and cultured class of citizens. But fortunately Salt Lake cannot be included in the category of the latter. Its school system is the pride of its people. It stands as an exhibition of unexampled progress, a monument of fame to the unflagging zeal and public spiritedness of its founders and supporters both past and present. Its whole history has been characterized with a degree of individual and collective faithfulness. All classes of citizens have worked hand in hand for its proud attainment. The cause of one has been the cause of all—the cause of the public in its truest, broadest sense. It furnishes the strongest possible kind of an object lesson as to what may be accomplished where the people all see eye to eye—where they have a common purpose in view and that purpose is to succeed. What splendid factors for the material advancement of a community chambers of commerce, business men’s associations and other similar organizations could become if operated upon and actuated by the same magic influence! * * * as-surely as effect follows cause, * More than that, in this * & There must be some reason for this phenomenal showing for Salt Lake City. The question arises, what is it? The answer is short and simple and may be grouped under these heads: General desire for education; efficiency of method and discipline. The teaching corps during the year that has just closed numbered about two hundred and thirty-five. When the present summer’s vacation is over at least two hundred and fifty will be engaged for the coming year. : Those who have the direction of the affairs of the school system of Salt Lake City have with remarkable unanimity been the advocates of the most modern and efficient methods of instruction and discipline. Progress and high grade work have ever been recognized as leading to the best results. In order that these conditions might obtain, school buildings and facilities better than which there are none in the United States have been provided. And while additional accommodations have If of high-standard, progress, education and refinement are resultant conditions tional system affords. The per cent of school population enrolled in the public schools of this city is about 92.0; the per cent of the city’s population thus enrolled is 22.6 per cent. This brief showing tells a story of which public school patrons have just cause to be proud. The right, they will perceive, is doubly theirs when they draw the tell-tale parallel furnished by the following compilation of a comparison of the ratios of other cities made recently: Number of Ratio of enrollVarious Cities conment to popuDivisions. sidered. lation of City. TROERI Ue athe 5 Ba TS. TR es i 10 15.1 SOU ARS CFP aS is see Es 61 14.1 SOUCH Comers Case is oe 28S OK Ss 71 12.3 North: Centeal” . Sts ees oie ai: OE 14.7 MVGGUSER 56ST DER POST V8 Fa FOR AS 5C 14, Average of United States................ 817 14.6 Balt Lake: (OMe. soecr. oR A eae 1 22.6 * x % Salt Lake City as a city owns school property valued at more than a million dollars. This, of course, includes buildings and furnishings. The buildings are up-to-date edifices in all particulars. They are heated, lighted and ventilated by the latest methods. In their construction the health, comfort and progress of pupils were all considered. The most satisfactory results have followed. Cuts of our best buildings have been published in the foremost educational journals of the country and invariably pointed to as architectural and sanitary triumphs. The crying need of the hour is a High School building that will be a |